Category: safe mothers safe babies

A new report entitled Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report came out two weeks ago and is the first of its kind. It provides global and regional estimates of preterm birth and illustrates how preterm birth is becoming an increasingly dire problem around the world, with highest rates occurring in sub-saharan Africa and South Asia. According to the report, after pneumonia, preterm birth is now the second leading cause of death for children under five, globally. Even for babies who survive preterm birth, there is a high chance that they will be permanently disabled, which adds an extra burden on to already struggling families.

The report is very informative regarding the problem, but it also suggests a plan of action and looks towards solutions, hopefully which, as the report outlines, will reduce infant deaths caused by preterm birth by 50% by the year 2025.

It is wonderful to know that preterm birth is finally being acknowledged as a vitally important issue in need of address and action around the world, particularly in Africa. SAFE has already been working towards solutions of preterm birth, both immediate and longer term, particularly with regards to the antenatal care of preterm babies. As a result of the Light the Night solar panel project implementation, when emergency caesarean sections are required, many health centers around Uganda are now able to provide safer and more effective surgeries without fear of power loss. With this solar powered light, health workers can also provide better antenatal care to preterm infants and their mothers.

Furthermore, through educational sessions and community health fairs, SAFE empowers women’s and men’s groups to be more aware of important neonatal care issues such as good nutrition, sanitation, and immunizations.

SAFE’s motorcycle ambulance program also addresses the issue of surprise preterm labor and birth, by efficiently transporting pregnant mothers in labor to health centers, so that they may get the care, treatment, and maybe even surgery, they need.

Maternal health in Uganda continues to be compromised as a result of a lacking government. As described in the following article, it is not for a dearth of ideas of how to improve the access and quality of maternal and neonatal healthcare; rather, it is the lack of action on these ideas that results in so many preventable deaths.

The article also highlights the fact that many of these deaths happen because there is no light to ensure easy deliveries and safe emergency procedures to deal with complications during childbirth. SAFE is doing as much as we can through the Light the Night program to help eradicate this fundamental problem, but the Ugandan government must also take action to protect women’s rights and the health of mothers and babies.

Attention all Safe Mothers, Safe Babies supporters! Below, you’ll find our Holiday 2011 Gift Catalog. Please consider making a donation to SAFE in honor of a loved one. You can sponsor any project you like, after which you will be sent “honor cards” which you can give to your loved ones to show how your gift is empowering women and saving the lives of mothers and children. What a great way to celebrate the holidays!